New threat: weapons and equipment of the Afghan army in the hands of terrorists
HMMWV vehicle - in recent years, NATO has actively helped Afghanistan with such equipment. Photo by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
In just a few weeks, terrorist groups managed to take control of almost the entire territory of Afghanistan, including the city of Kabul. For a number of reasons, the army and other power structures were unable or unwilling to offer serious resistance. As a result of these events, a mass of captured equipment and weapons ended up in the hands of the terrorists. However, some samples were saved.
Former power
Recently, the materiel of the Afghan armed forces has been a very specific sight. In service were present at the same time weapon and equipment received at different times from the USSR and NATO countries. At the same time, the army remained rather weak, and there was also an obvious imbalance in quantity and quality. For example, as part of foreign aid, the Afghan army received a large number of modern armored vehicles, but tank the parts did not develop and retained the equipment that was outdated for a long time.
The army's infantry armament system was based on all available samples, naturally, foreign production. Gradually, the transition to modern weapons of NATO standards was carried out, but a significant share remained with older models of Soviet or foreign production. As a result, one infantry unit could use M4 rifles, PK machine guns, RPG-7 grenade launchers and NATO communications equipment.
Afghan Army Women's Unit Develops Foreign Weapons, 2011 Photo by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
According to The Military Balance 2021, until recently, the army had only 20 T-55 and T-62 tanks in serviceable condition. Another 24 old tanks were in storage. The motorized infantry had at its disposal more than a thousand armored vehicles of various types. The most massive were the two-axle MSFV armored personnel carriers, developed in the United States specifically for Afghanistan. Also from abroad were received M113 armored personnel carriers and Maxxpro armored vehicles, approx. 200 units of each type. Various vehicles such as the HMMWV have been handed over by the thousands.
Having received foreign armored vehicles, Afghanistan was able to almost completely decommission the old armored personnel carriers received in the past from the USSR. We also renewed our car fleet. It was not possible to carry out a similar replacement of tanks or equipment of some other classes.
More than a hundred towed howitzers were reported - Soviet D-30 and American M114. The main artillery of the ground forces was made up of at least 650 mortars. This number, as far as is known, includes only products of calibers 81 and 82 mm of foreign production.
Mortar men in the learning process. NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
The Afghan Air Force had a fairly large fleet of aircraft and helicopters for various purposes. Strike missions were carried out using 24 EMB-314 Super Tucano combat training aircraft and 5 Mi-35 helicopters. There were 10 multi-purpose vehicles Cessna 208, incl. combat modification AC-208 Combat Caravan. There were also up to 45 transport aircraft, incl. 4 C-130H. The fleet of multipurpose helicopters included approx. 150 cars of different models. Slightly more than a third of this number are Russian Mi-8 / 17s.
The situation in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was generally similar, but taking into account their specifics. So, the police and other formations tried to keep the available equipment, and in parallel, supplies were carried out within the framework of foreign aid. As a result, the fleet of a typical police department could include both the old UAZ-469 and the more modern Ford Ranger.
Tanks T-62, 2004 Photo Wikimedia Commons
The rearmament of the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was not a priority, and therefore they still had to massively use small arms and other weapons produced by the USSR and the Department of Internal Affairs. At the same time, a trend towards a future transition to NATO standards was gradually emerging.
Rapid losses
In just a few weeks, the army and security forces of Afghanistan were virtually defeated. Some units were defeated in battle, others threw down their weapons and deserted. It was reported that whole units and units went over to the side of the terrorists. In all cases, the advancing formations received access to army warehouses and equipment parks.
For obvious reasons, the exact number and list of captured materiel remains unknown. However, various sources regularly received various reports of the seizure of land and aviation equipment, infantry weapons, etc. At the same time, the army managed to save part of its weapons and equipment, taking it to safe areas of the country or even beyond its borders.
Howitzer D-30 with the calculation of the exercises, 2007. Photo by the US Department of Defense
Photo and video materials have become widespread, showing entire rooms filled with captured weapons. The invaders also showed closures with products of different classes and types. Trophies of this kind enjoy a certain popularity among terrorists: rifles and machine guns, sights, etc. they prefer to master first and use in the next battles.
During the seizure of army and police facilities, the terrorists received a large amount of automobile and military equipment. In some cases, you may notice that the cars at these bases are not in the best condition. It is possible that the retreating units were abandoning materiel unusable for repair. At the same time, usable machines are also lost.
Helicopter Mi-17V-5 during joint exercises. In the background is a foreign-made armored car. US Department of Defense Photo
During the seizure of airfields and airbases, the terrorists were able to get hold of a certain amount of aviation equipment. For example, one of five Mi-35 combat helicopters became a trophy at the airfield in Kunduz. The seizure of a significant number of multi-role helicopters was reported.
However, some of the Air Force equipment was saved. Recently, the state structures of Uzbekistan reported that on August 14 and 15, 22 planes and 24 helicopters of the Afghan army entered the country's airspace without permission, with almost 600 servicemen on board. All aircraft landed at the Termez airfield. Already published satellite images, which captured the flown airplanes and helicopters.
Combat aircraft and multipurpose helicopters of various types flew to Uzbekistan. Previously, they could serve as part of various units, including the Special Purpose Air Wing. It is not known what will happen to the planes, helicopters, pilots and military personnel who have flown over.
US-Afghan Joint Exercise, 2011 Photo US Department of Defense
Thus, about two-thirds of the Air Force payroll could fall into the hands of terrorists. It is to be expected that the air force may now simply disappear. The invaders show interest in aviation only in the context of campaigning and do not have full-fledged opportunities for the operation and repair of equipment.
Foggy future
The latest developments in Afghanistan are clear cause for concern. A large terrorist group, having accumulated forces and means, was able to displace or destroy all the main power structures practically throughout the country in the shortest possible time. At the same time, she managed to capture numerous trophies of various kinds, which will now be used to strengthen her.
How the existing weapons and trophies will be used is a big question. So far, the new "authorities" are trying to work on their own image, but this may turn out to be an attempt to lull the vigilance of third countries. Accordingly, there is a risk of an attack on the nearest states - already with the use of captured weapons and equipment.
Fresh satellite image of the Termez airfield in Uzbekistan. Afghan planes are visible in the parking lots. Photo Thedrive.com
However, as the events of the past and present show, the terrorists will not be able to use all the captured equipment. For example, the restoration of even a minimally efficient air force is unlikely. In addition, at any time, the problem of obsolescence of materiel may fully manifest itself. The army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan were armed with a significant number of morally and physically old products, the long-term operation of which is no longer possible.
Unlike the ousted government, the new masters of the country cannot count on full-fledged assistance from abroad. The organization of a normal production larger than a handicraft workshop, reworking existing products, is also impossible. Thus, the prospects for the materiel of the new "authorities" directly depend on the wear and tear and accumulated reserves, which have increased due to trophies.
However, all wear and tear issues and related restrictions do not diminish the terrorist threat to Afghanistan's neighbors. The states of the region need to take this into account and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, Afghan terrorists will be able to carry out an attack - and seize more trophies.
Information